49S MR. p. L. SCLATER ON BIRDS FROM [June 14, 



Fig. 2-^. Transverse section of same embryo, through anterior part of liver 



(X14). 

 Fig. 3'^. Transverse section of same embryo, tbi-ough the gall-bladder ( X 14). 

 Fig. 2^. Transverse section of embryo of same stage as fig. B, througli a region 



as nearly as may be corresponding to that in fig. 2^^ ( X 14). 

 Fig. 3^. Transverse section of same embryo, through a region as nearly as may 



be corresponding to that in fig. 3'^ ( X 14). 



2. On a Collection of Birds from the Island of Anguilla, 

 West Indies. By P. L. Sclater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., 

 Secretary to the Society. 



[Eeceived May 18, 1892.] 



Mr. W. R. Elliott, one of the Collectors employed by the Com- 

 mittee of the Royal Society and British Association for the exploration 

 of the Lesser Antilles, paid a short visit to Anguilla ^ in March last, 

 and made a small collection of birds, which I have now the pleasure 

 of exhibiting. It contains 27 skins, which are referable to 16 

 species. There is nothing new or even rare amongst them, but as, 

 so far as I know, no ornithological collector has previously been in 

 Anguilla, and its Ornis is entirely unknown, it will be of interest 

 to record the names of the species represented in the Collection and 

 to add a few remarks. 



Besides the species now mentioned Mr. Elliott writes that two 

 other birds were seen — a " Chicken-hawk " (perhaps Falco colum- 

 barius) and a Bittern (probably Butoi-ides virescens). The former 

 was common, but the latter " rather scarce at this time of year." 



Mr. Elliott was told that during the wet season a large number of 

 other birds visit the island. When he was there in March, every 

 thing was burned up by a three months' drought. The birds obtained 

 are therefore " undoubtedly permanent inhabitants." Amongst the 

 visitors during rainy season he hears of " plovers, ducks, and snipes 

 in large flocks." 



In the following list I have given references to Mr. Cory's most 

 useful 'Birds of the West Indies' (Boston, 1889), in which all the 

 species are mentioned. 



1. Margarops fuscatus (Vieill.). 



Ciclilerminia fuscata, Sharpe, Cat. B. vi. p. 329. 

 Margarops fuscatus, Cory, B. of W. I. p. 28. 

 A single male specimen. " Thrush, scarce now, but as a rule 

 common ; seems to have left the island in search of food." — W. R. E. 



^ " Anguilla, or Snake Island, the most northerly of the British Caribbee 

 Islands, lies north of St. Martin's, from which it is distant about 5 miles. It is 

 about 20 miles long and 6 broad, but is so lov^ and flat that it cannot be seen 

 from a greater distance than 10 or 12 miles. The soil is calcareous and not 

 very productive. A little sugar, cotton, tobacco, and maize are grown on it, but 

 it is deficient both in wood and water. In the centre of the island is a saline 

 lake which yields a large quantity of salt, the greater part of wlTicli is exported 

 to America. The climate is health}'. The chief occupations of I he inhabitants 

 are breeding cattle and gathering salt." — Imj). Gazetteer, i. p. l.'iS. 



